
Recent step was taken in the light of the current situation because of the pandemic and to safeguard the students’ health. Photo: File
KARACHI: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has awards Iqra University over Rs10 million for research on advance smart farming, said a press release on Friday.
The research project will advance smart farming with the use of smart technology and is titled “Smart Farming: An approach towards the development of efficient and effective urban (Hydroponic) cultivation Test Bed using Smart Technologies”. The project was submitted for funding by Dr Masroor Ebrahim from Iqra University.
The research project aims to increase and improve agriculture growth, ensure food security, increase productivity and cater to a wide variety of nutrition and organic products at low cost.
“This research project will not only aid urban farming, but will also change the concept of traditional farming. It is a great initiative that will help us overcome various issues in the agriculture sector and positively impact Pakistan’s economy,” said Dr Wasim Qazi, the Vice-Chancellor and President of Iqra University.
Dr Qasi said he was proud of his team at Iqra University for launching the initiative and grateful to HEC Research and Development Division for recognising the potential of the project.
“I’m positive that the outcomes of the proposed research will help us impact Pakistan’s economy positively,” said Dr Qazi.
The research project plans to develop an urban farming test bed based on Hydroculture (Hydroponics) techniques. Incorporated with smart technology, it will provide an efficient, controlled and autonomous environment with the ability to cater to a wide variety of different plants.
The key outcomes of the proposed research project include immunization to weather and climate change, reduction in water usage, and improvement in the environment. It will also support the Government initiative of a green Pakistan by reducing human effort and improving plant health monitoring that will help yield better quality products and increase farmers’ profit due to increased market reach.
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